Azelene's visit

Things have been pretty busy lately. Azelene was able to come visit when Eli was 6 weeks. My Mom was still here because my Dad was able to finish his radiation a week and a half earlier than he originally planned (since he didn't have a prostate), so he told her to stay, and he'd come here as soon as he was done. It was so nice having so much help. Azelene and I were actually able to organize quite a few things because of the extra help with the children. Azelene cooked, Darlene cleaned, and I got to sort through what to donate, discard, etc... The bandage above Ryder's eye was another fun ER trip. He was jumping in the bathtub and split his head open. It was too close to his eye for Azelene to feel comfortable glueing, so she butterflied it and stayed here with Skyler and Aspen while my mom and I went to the ER with Ryder and Eli. Luckily it was bed time, and both boys slept the entire time, especially since hospitals send me in panic mode with newborns, all the germs, scary! Azelene had approximated it perfectly, then the ER doc reopened it, didn't close it nearly as well, and just glued it anyway. Better safe than sorry.

Since I said "another ER trip" I better write the story down before I forget... Last year, in April, Ryder shoved a teeny button battery from a finger flashlight up his nose, and the doctor was about to give up thinking he really didn't have anything up his nose. I wondered why he would have been screaming for so long, like was in extreme pain, if that were the case, when the Dr asked "Did he stick a candle or something up his nose to burn it?" Strange question, and I have no idea how the thought came to me that it could have been a battery, but luckily we figured it out, and were able to srface it with a magnet and then pull it out with the alligator. Then , not even a week later, Aspen fell off the ripstick and broke her ulna and radius, just above the wrist, almost snapping them in two. Shane had been in Arizona, for a golf trip with his Dad, and I had to call him to come get Ryder and Skyler from the ER on the way home from the airport. I didn't even know where the hospital was before Ryder's incident, now I am only too familiar. Aspen actually broke her arm about two weeks before our family trip to Disneyworld. So she had to have a cast on for the parks and the cruise; not good timing. I actually broke my toe, by dropping the handle of a moving dolley on it, the day before we flew out. Luckily Allen's friend Dr. Dayton, came on the trip as well, 2 days behind us, and was able to bring a drill to relieve the pressure. I need to make friends with a lot more doctors, you should never leave home without one!

Back to the present, Eli at 6 weeks. I need my computer wiz to come flip this right side up, but for now, oh well.

Eli 5 Weeks

Eli is 5 weeks already, but seems older. He is losing the newborn look already. They get too big too fast. Here's your pic Shane.

Easter

With 8:00 church it is not very easy to get out the door on time for church, sadly this is the bestquick pic we could get. I am in the others and not at all photogenic.

(Aspen, Ryder, Skyler, and Eli)

Skyler and Aspen searching for Easter eggs

Ryder's collected quite a few

I almost forgot Eli

Trying to gather the kids at the annual Easter picnic at the park

Water Slide

6 neighbor families went in on a waterslide together, and we were able to use it at the park for the 1st time at Olivia and Sophia's birthday party on Saturday

(Skyler and Aspen enjoying the slide)

Ryder decided he was done with the slide (we were out there from 12 to 7:30 though)

Eli's 1st Bath

On April 1st Eli's umbilical cord finally fell off (just 2 days before he turned 4 weeks). He really enjoyed his 1st real bath, and Ryder and Aspen loved to help. Funny to think he rolled over before he lost his umbilical cord. He had his first "tummy time" when he was 2 weeks, after the home health nurse said we are supposed to start it since day one now, and he rolled over almost immediately, and has done so several times since.

Pinewood Derby

On March 31, Skyler participated in his 1st Pinewood Derby. I thought the track was pretty impressive. They had a good time, and we were able to learn tricks for next year, like GRAPHITE, GRAPHITE, GRAPHITE, as well as sand all pieces to the wheels really well.

Eli's Blessing

Saturday, March 14, Bishop Bradshaw called, concerned that Eli would not be able to be blessed for so long, and asked if we would like him to run over so we could give him a name and a blessing. Shane ran upstairs to change, and I grabbed the change of clothes I had bought for when Ryder was blessed, and threw them on Eli. I was still in jeans, but it was more important that he have the ordinance performed. My, how much more relaxed things are by the time you get to your fourth child. Skyler's blessing was such a big to do, and Eli didn't even get his own blessing outfit. At least no one has to feel bad for not being able to make it.

I told Shane I would take a picture of Eli once a week so he could see his growth. (Eli 1 week)

Eli (2 weeks)

Eli (3 weeks, and yes, he still has his umbilical cord)